Drew Helleson

Drew Helleson
Born	(2001-03-26) March 26, 2001 (age 23) Farmington, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Anaheim Ducks
National team	United States
NHL draft	47th overall, 2019 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	2022–present

Drew Helleson (born March 26, 2001) is an American ice hockey defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Helleson was drafted 47th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

During the 2020–21 season, Helleson recorded four goals and 11 assists in 22 games for Boston College. Following the season he was named Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman, First Team All-Hockey East and Second Team AHCA All-American.[1][2][3] In his junior 2021–22 season with the Eagles, he posted career-best marks of 21 assists and 25 points through 32 games.[4]

Helleson was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 47th overall, in the 2019 NHL entry draft.[4] Helleson's rights along with a 2023 second-round draft pick were traded by the Avalanche to the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for defenseman Josh Manson, on March 14, 2022.[5] The next day Helleson ended his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ducks.[6] He was assigned to the Ducks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls for the remainder of the season.[7] Helleson returned to the AHL for the 2022–23 season but was recalled on April 9, 2023 by the Ducks.[8] Helleson made his NHL debut for the Ducks that night, in a game against the Colorado Avalanche.[9] He scored his first NHL goal against Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks in a 3–2 loss on April 12.[10]

Helleson was assigned to San Diego to begin the 2023–24 season.[11] He appeared in 59 games for the Gulls, scoring 4 goals and 18 points.[12] He was assigned to the Gulls at the beginning of the 2024–25 season.[13] He was recalled along with Jansen Harkins on November 13.[14] He made his NHL season debut on November 15, marking his first multi-point game, assisting on goals by Cutter Gauthier and Ross Johnston in a 6–4 win over the Detroit Red Wings.[15]

International play

Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championship
	2021 Canada
World U18 Championship
	2019 Sweden

Helleson represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded three assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.[16] He represented the United States at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded two goals and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal.[17] On January 13, 2022, Helleson was named to Team USA's roster to represent the United States at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[18]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2017–18	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		34	2	16	18	14		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		28	4	7	11	18		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Boston College	HE		28	1	5	6	12		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Boston College	HE		22	4	11	15	8		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Boston College	HE		32	4	21	25	30		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	San Diego Gulls	AHL		17	0	2	2	4		2	0	2	2	2
2022–23	San Diego Gulls	AHL		65	5	13	18	59		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		3	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	San Diego Gulls	AHL		59	4	14	18	44		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				3	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019	United States	U18			7	0	3	3	0
2021	United States	WJC			7	2	2	4	2
2022	United States	OG	5th		3	0	1	1	0
Junior totals					14	2	5	7	2
Senior totals					3	0	1	1	0

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman	2021	[1]
All Hockey East First Team	2021	[2]
AHCA East Second Team All-American	2021	[3]

References

1. "Hockey East Names Men's Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team". Hockey East. March 11, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
2. "Hockey East Names 2020-21 Men's All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 12, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
3. "Boston College, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin lead way with three All-American college hockey players apiece for '20-21 season". USCHO.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
4. "Anaheim Ducks Sign Drew Helleson to Three-Year Entry Level Contract". San Diego Gulls. March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
5. "Ducks acquire Helleson, pick from Colorado for Josh Manson". Anaheim Ducks. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via NHL.com.
6. "Ducks Sign Defensemen Helleson to Entry-Level Contract". Anaheim Ducks. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via NHL.com.
7. "San Diego Gulls Sign Defenseman Drew Helleson to Amateur Tryout". March 22, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
8. "Anaheim Ducks Recall Drew Helleson from San Diego". San Diego Gulls. April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
9. Arritt, Dan (April 10, 2023). "Avalanche defeat Ducks in OT, take lead in Central". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
10. "Miller, power play carry Canucks past Ducks, 3-2". ESPN. Associated Press. April 11, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
11. "Ducks Assign Four Players to AHL San Diego". Anaheim Ducks. October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2024 – via NHL.com.
12. "Drew Helleson". hockeydb.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
13. Sheridan, Mathieu (October 2, 2024). "Anaheim Ducks Send Four Players to San Diego". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
14. "Ducks Recall Two Players from AHL San Diego, Place Fowler, Fabbri on IR". Anaheim Ducks. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024 – via NHL.com.
15. Arritt, Dan (November 16, 2024). "Gauthier gets 1st goal, Ducks score 4 in 3rd to rally past Red Wings". National Hockey League. Retrieved November 25, 2024 – via NHL.com.
16. "Future Stars Fill U18 Roster". collegehockeyinc.com. April 18, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
17. Parmele, Callie (December 12, 2020). "Drew Helleson to Represent United States at 2021 World Juniors". Colorado Avalanche. Retrieved January 14, 2022 – via NHL.com.
18. "2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Unveiled". USA Hockey. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Wyatt Newpower	Hockey East Best Defensive Defenseman 2020–21	Succeeded by Jordan Harris